GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) – The Green Bay athletics department is launching a special GreenBayPhoenix.com feature called the Phoenix Fund Member of the Month. The first honoree holds a special distinction as the youngest Phoenix Fund member.

Karissa Resch, the daughter of Wayne and Anita Resch, is an 11-year old who will be a sixth grader this fall at Red Smith Elementary School. When she makes her Phoenix Fund gift in 2014-15, Karissa will become a Phoenix Fund member for the third-straight year. She started donating to the Phoenix Fund when she was nine years old.

Recently, Karissa spoke with GreenBayPhoenix.com to talk about her Phoenix Fund membership, love for Phoenix Athletics, and what she may want to do for a living one day.

Why do you donate to the Phoenix Fund?Karissa: I want to support student athletes because they provide so much happiness to our family and one day, I want to be a student athlete at the college level. Everything costs money.

How do you make the money you save to give to the Phoenix Fund?Karissa: When I was younger, I told my parents I wanted to make money so I could give to the Phoenix too. I started by doing small jobs around the house. Soon, I realized that small jobs pay small wages. Each year, I want to give more than I did the year before – so I keep asking for bigger jobs.

Who is your favorite Phoenix student-athlete?Karissa: That’s a tough one! I like all of the athletes that show up on game day with a smile on their face and a look that says, “I am here to win!” The feisty, spunky players that play with heart get me every time.

What is your favorite sport?Karissa: Another tough question! Hard to pick just one – it’s a 3-way tie between volleyball, women’s basketball and men’s basketball.

Do you play any sports?Karissa: Yes. I play basketball and volleyball. I love to run! I am part of the running club at my school. I ran the Cellcom 5K and will be running the Bellin this year. I love biking and kayaking too.

What do you think you may want to be when you grow up?Karissa: I want to be an architect/engineer and design/build homes in Jackson Hole, W.Y. We went to Jackson Hole last year on a family trip – I am hooked on the place. Math and science are my favorite subjects. My favorite non- sport hobbies are expert Lego kits [for 16+] and Kinex sets. I usually forget to eat or sleep until I am finished. I guess it just makes sense to keep building things?

Your parents are men’s and women’s basketball season ticket holders. What is your favorite part of going to the games?Karissa: I started going to women’s basketball games at the Kress when I was five or six. I’ve met so many great people at those games – the players, the coaches, and the other fans. Our Kress season ticket neighbors are the best – I love them – sometimes, I have to be the adult in that crowd! I love going to volleyball games with my dad – I wish the crowd was bigger and the fans were louder – so I could yell louder too!

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